Council sustains planning commission approval for 300 Newport Center Drive; Big Newport theater slated for demolition

The council voted unanimously to deny an appeal filed by Save Our Theater and others and to sustain the Planning Commission’s approval of a project that would demolish the Edwards Big Newport theater and replace it with two residential towers totaling 150 condominiums.

Liz Westmoreland, principal planner, summarized the entitlements and environmental analysis, saying the project was supported by a 15183 exemption analysis with technical studies and a peer review. She noted the building is not designated as a historical resource and that the site plan includes a podium with 343 parking spaces and limited home‑office uses conditioned to be sold only to building residents.

Jim Edwards, a member of the Edwards family and project applicant, told the council the family has owned the site for decades and that "the era of in person movie going has fundamentally changed," adding that the Big Newport "will be closed no later than June 2027, and possibly sooner." Appellant Ken LaCroix and dozens of residents urged the council to preserve the theater, raise questions about transparency in the housing overlay and height increases, and suggested alternatives such as adaptive reuse for events or partial preservation.

Council discussion recognized the cultural value of the theater and the Film Festival but emphasized the limits of the council’s authority over private property and the project’s consistency with the city’s zoning and EIR processes. Mayor Pro Tem Blom moved to deny the appeal; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Weber and carried unanimously.

Outcome: the Planning Commission’s approval of the entitlements stands and the applicant may proceed subject to the project's conditions of approval.